Atheism is a by-product of beliefs, not a cause of problems

Problems faced by communist governments are complex, and can be discussed from a political (democracy versus dictatorship), economic (capitalism versus communism) and religious (belief vs non-belief) viewpoint.

These components were discussed in the letters, “Communism failed due to flawed economic ideology” (July 28), “Religious values behind principles of secular democracy” (July 29, online) and “Atheism a natural and inseparable part of communism” (July 30), and they overlap.

Strictly speaking, atheism is not a belief system; it merely describes the absence of belief in god(s). Beyond that, atheists have many possible political, economic and philosophical beliefs.

Atheism is not a cause of their beliefs; it is often a by-product of their beliefs.

The communists’ state atheism emerged from a power struggle between communist and religious dogma. Religious authorities were often supporters of the incumbent pre-communist governments.

If atheism was the communists’ end goal, Soviet leader Joseph Stalin would not have revived the Russian Orthodox Church to intensify patriotic support during World War II, for example.

The high proportion of atheists in successful modern democracies, such as Norway, is a consequence of free inquiry, good education and economic stability.

Their democracies are not rooted in religion and religious virtues, as one of the letter writers argued, although he might be right about religion’s influence.

The Greeks founded democracy in the pre-Hellenistic epoch, when their multiple gods had various and capricious human traits.

Given the contrasting examples in Norway and the former Soviet Union, it is clear that atheism is not a cause of problems but a consequence of two different forces.

Many atheists in Singapore came to their views as a consequence of free inquiry, good education and economic stability since independence.

Far from bringing problems that the communists had faced, atheists contributed in their own ways to nation building as many Singaporeans did. Instead of being viewed with apprehension, I hope the godless, too, can be recognised in the national narrative.